Surgical Instrument Latch Mechanism for Spinal Implant Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical systems for treating spinal disorders, such as degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis, face challenges in efficiently connecting spinal implants to bone fasteners, often requiring complex manual operations and risking improper fixation or disconnection during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a latch and actuator mechanism that changes between locked and non-locked orientations, allowing for secure engagement and disengagement of spinal implants to bone fastener shafts, featuring a trigger mechanism with torsion spring and ramp surfaces for automatic return to the open position, facilitating easy implant connection and disconnection without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch mechanism is added to secure the actuator to the member, then the reliability of implant fixation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the actuator's position. When the actuator is pushed distally, the latch automatically locks into place without requiring manual intervention. When the actuator is pulled proximally, the latch automatically releases. This self-service mechanism improves reliability while minimizing the need for complex control systems or additional manual操作步骤.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism transitions between static locked and unlocked states dynamically based on actuator movement. The latch includes a biasing element that allows it to flex and engage/disengage appropriately as the actuator moves along its trajectory, providing adaptive securing rather than a fixed mechanical connection.
2Ease of operation
If manual operations are required for connecting spinal implants to bone fasteners, then the ease of operation is reduced, but the device complexity can be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the connection and disconnection operations automatically through the latch mechanism that responds to natural actuator movement. The surgeon simply moves the actuator along its path, and the latch automatically secures or releases the connection, eliminating the need for separate manual locking or unlocking steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is pre-configured to engage automatically when the actuator reaches the appropriate position during insertion or removal. The biasing element ensures the latch is ready to engage without requiring additional activation steps, making the operation intuitive and straightforward.
3Productivity
If a latch mechanism with automatic return is implemented, then the productivity of surgical procedures is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism uses a biasing element (spring) that provides automatic return functionality. When the actuator is pulled proximally to disengage, the biasing element automatically returns the latch to its engaged position, ready for the next connection. This dynamic reset mechanism enables rapid sequential operations without manual repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism operates in periodic cycles of engagement and disengagement that correspond to the insertion and removal of implants. Each cycle is automatically initiated by actuator movement and completed by the biasing element returning the latch to its initial state, enabling efficient repetitive surgical operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the efficiency and reliability of spinal implant fixation and removal, reducing the risk of improper attachment and simplifying surgical procedures by enabling automatic return to the open position, thus streamlining the surgical process and improving patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a trigger mechanism with torsion spring and ramp surfaces for automatic return to the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument comprises a member being engageable to a spinal implant configured for connection to a bone fastener shaft. An actuator is connected to the member. A latch is connected to the actuator and the connection is configured to change between at least one non-locked orientation such that the actuator is movable relative to the member and a locked orientation such that the actuator is fixed relative to the member. Systems, spinal constructs, implants and methods are disclosed.